NPL’s leap in Nepali cricket and the responsible role of corporate

Laxman KC

Nepal Premier League (NPL) has, within a short period, moved beyond being merely a cricket tournament. It has emerged as a significant platform for Nepali sport, demonstrating how cricket, business, employment and national identity can intersect within a single ecosystem. The impact NPL has had on Nepali cricket is not incremental; it represents a structural leap.

With the successful completion of its second edition, the franchise-based NPL has shown that Nepal is capable of hosting a professional and internationally visible cricket league. The scale of organisation, audience engagement, international player participation and broadcast reach has challenged long-held assumptions about the limitations of Nepali sport. The presence of globally recognised players and live international telecast has positioned NPL as more than a domestic experiment. It is increasingly a regional sporting product.

In this sense, NPL has helped usher Nepali cricket into a new phase. The league is not solely about competition on the field. It is about opportunity. Opportunity for players to pursue professional careers, for young people to access employment, for businesses to invest in a growing sector, and for the country to project a confident sporting identity. Nepal’s cricket enthusiasm is well established, as reflected in the Nepal Cricket Association’s multiple ICC Fan Engagement of the Year awards. NPL has channelled this passion into a structured and commercially viable format.

Cricket in Nepal has always thrived at the grassroots level, from neighbourhood grounds to school competitions. What was missing was a sustainable framework capable of converting widespread enthusiasm into long-term growth. NPL has taken a decisive step in addressing this gap. It has demonstrated that a world-class franchise league is achievable in Nepal and that cricket can contribute meaningfully to the wider economy through tourism, advertising, services and media.

A critical pillar of NPL’s success has been the involvement of the corporate sector. From franchise ownership to sponsorship, branding, technology and operational support, Corporate Nepal has played a central role in stabilising and scaling the league. This engagement has helped challenge the traditional perception that sport is primarily a cost centre. Instead, NPL has shown that strategic investment in sport can generate commercial returns while also delivering social value.

Corporate participation has also influenced the league’s governance and management. Professional administration, the adoption of international best practices, and greater attention to transparency and long-term planning are increasingly evident. Improvements in player remuneration, welfare and branding, along with enhanced spectator experience, reflect this shift. NPL matches have evolved into complete sporting events that combine competition with entertainment and fan engagement.

For players, particularly emerging talent, NPL has been transformative. Those with limited exposure in domestic cricket have found a platform to showcase their abilities. Opportunities to train and compete alongside international players have raised standards and confidence among Nepali cricketers. Over time, this exposure is likely to strengthen the national team and the broader cricketing ecosystem.

The league has also highlighted the importance of grassroots development. Talent identification initiatives and the inclusion of local players have reinforced a key lesson: sustainable sporting success depends on long-term investment in youth and community-level cricket. Short-term success without structural depth will not be sufficient.

Another important dimension of NPL has been its effort to link sport with education. A professional sporting career is often short, making educational support essential for long-term security. NPL’s emphasis on integrating education into the sporting pathway sends an important message to players, families and institutions. In this context, Presidential Graduate School’s role as an education partner in both editions of NPL reflects a shared commitment to supporting athletes beyond their playing years.

The success of NPL’s first two editions has attracted international attention, with some observers suggesting its potential to become one of Asia’s stronger emerging leagues. However, early momentum alone will not ensure sustainability. The next phase requires deliberate policy support and institutional clarity. Clear regulatory frameworks, transparent governance, and predictable scheduling will be essential to maintain investor confidence and public trust.

Equally important is inclusivity. The progress achieved in men’s franchise cricket must extend to women’s cricket. Establishing a comparable league for women, alongside sustained investment in school-level and grassroots programmes, should be a policy priority rather than an afterthought.

NPL has demonstrated what is possible when sporting bodies, the private sector, educational institutions and media align around a shared vision. To translate this success into lasting national benefit, policymakers must now play a more active role. Supporting sports infrastructure, incentivising responsible corporate investment, and integrating sport into broader development planning will determine whether NPL becomes a catalyst for systemic growth or remains a standalone success.

If guided by sound policy, transparency and long-term commitment, NPL can evolve into more than a successful league. It can become a model for how sport contributes to economic opportunity, social mobility and national confidence in Nepal.

Writer KC is the President of the Presidential Graduate School, Kathmandu.